The Crown’s New Prince Philip Is a Picture of Ambition

Netflix is really taking its time with teasers for the next season of The Crown. In mid-July, the streaming platform released tantalizing first looks at Olivia Colman,Helena Bonham Carter, and Ben Danielsin character asQueen Elizabeth II,Princess Margaret, and Lord Snowdon, respectively. Then the next month rolled on by, with nary a hint of a new teaser or still. One core figure, of course, was missing from that rollout: Tobias Menzies, who was cast as Prince Philip back in March (after Paul Bettany had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts). On Tuesday, Netflix finally ended the spell, releasing a still of Menzies in character as the rambunctious royal in his black-tie finery. The caption is simple: “Ambition.”

That would be the word one could use to sum up the prince, though as depicted on the series, his ambition often clashes with his position as the British monarch’s husband. The first two seasons of The Crown saw Philip (played in his younger years by Matt Smith) struggle with the realities of a life spent playing second fiddle to his wife. He bristled against it, to the point where he sparked infidelity rumors that have never quieted—creating a rift between himself and Elizabeth. The simple still that Netflix released follows the same pattern as its previous Season 3 first looks: a sumptuous image with a one-word caption, like “Hope” or “Patience.“

Menzies (previously seen on Game of Thrones,Outlander) was cast in his role last March, later than the series’s other principals (which may explain his delayed first look). The rest of the show’s core cast next season includes Josh O’Connor (Florence Foster Jenkins) as Prince Charles,Marion Bailey (Allied) as the Queen Mother, and Erin Doherty as Princess Anne. Season 3 of the series will reportedly debut in 2019 and catch up where Season 2 left off—carrying on through the rest of the 1960s and pushing ahead into the 70s. Per The Crown’s casting director, Nina Gold, viewers can expect a lot of fun from plots revolving around the younger royals, as well as Camilla Shand, Charles’s on-and-off girlfriend—with whom he carried on an affair during his marriage to Princess Diana. The pair were eventually married in 2005, nearly a decade after Diana’s death.

“Charles, Camilla, and Anne are going to be pretty interesting characters to follow, because they are just coming into their own,” Gold previously said. Shand has not yet been cast, but an announcement is probably on its way any day now. Just don’t expect to see a famous face fill in the slot, Gold said; this show prefers to cast relative unknowns. “It’s quite interesting and fun to try and find new or new-ish talent,” she said.

Olivia Colman vs. Claire Foy

Queen Elizabeth II: Foy played the monarch on The Crown’s first two seasons to great effect, picking up a Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations along the way. Now, BAFTA-winning star Colman will take over, playing the queen as she approaches the 25th anniversary of her reign—otherwise known as the Silver Jubilee.

Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.

Helena Bonham Carter vs. Vanessa Kirby

Princess Margaret: Kirby stole every viewer’s heart as the rebellious princess caught in the stuffy world of the monarchy. Oscar nominee Bonham Carter is a perfect successor, playing the princess as she barrels toward the end of her tumultuous marriage to Lord Snowdon.

Ben Daniels vs. Matthew Goode

Lord Snowdon: Goode expertly played the provocative photographer who wed Princess Margaret in Season 2. The pair went on to have a fraught relationship, which is where Daniels (House of Cards,The Exorcist series) will come in next season.

Photo: Left, from Netflix; Right, by Alex Bailey/Netflix.

Tobias Menzies vs. Matt Smith

Prince Philip: Smith deftly portrayed the queen’s husband as he bridled against the constraints of her position, going out with his friends and allegedly having affairs. Outlander star Menzies will tackle Philip from there. Perhaps his plot will revolve around the fact that Philip is often credited with saving engineering in Britain in the 1970s?

Erin Doherty vs. Lyla Barrett-Rye

Princess Anne: Young Barrett-Rye played the Queen’s only daughter for a handful of episodes in Season 2. Now, industry newcomer Erin Doherty will take over the role, playing the royal as she graduates from boarding school and becomes a public figure, making a name for herself as one of the Queen’s more extroverted children.

Olivia Colman vs. Claire Foy

Queen Elizabeth II: Foy played the monarch on The Crown’s first two seasons to great effect, picking up a Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations along the way. Now, BAFTA-winning star Colman will take over, playing the queen as she approaches the 25th anniversary of her reign—otherwise known as the Silver Jubilee.

Courtesy of Netflix.

Helena Bonham Carter vs. Vanessa Kirby

Princess Margaret: Kirby stole every viewer’s heart as the rebellious princess caught in the stuffy world of the monarchy. Oscar nominee Bonham Carter is a perfect successor, playing the princess as she barrels toward the end of her tumultuous marriage to Lord Snowdon.

Left, By Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix; Right, by Stuart Hendry/Netflix.

Ben Daniels vs. Matthew Goode

Lord Snowdon: Goode expertly played the provocative photographer who wed Princess Margaret in Season 2. The pair went on to have a fraught relationship, which is where Daniels (House of Cards,The Exorcist series) will come in next season.

Left, from Netflix; Right, by Alex Bailey/Netflix.

Tobias Menzies vs. Matt Smith

Prince Philip: Smith deftly portrayed the queen’s husband as he bridled against the constraints of her position, going out with his friends and allegedly having affairs. Outlander star Menzies will tackle Philip from there. Perhaps his plot will revolve around the fact that Philip is often credited with saving engineering in Britain in the 1970s?

Erin Doherty vs. Lyla Barrett-Rye

Princess Anne: Young Barrett-Rye played the Queen’s only daughter for a handful of episodes in Season 2. Now, industry newcomer Erin Doherty will take over the role, playing the royal as she graduates from boarding school and becomes a public figure, making a name for herself as one of the Queen’s more extroverted children.